Radiator shutter



March 10, 1935. NEY- I 2,033,38fi

RADIATOR SHUTTER Filed oot fs, 1931 I s snet -sheet 1 i I a March 10, 1936.

RADIATOR SHUTTER Filed Oct. 8, 1931 3 Shets-Sheet 2 g 6 I g yreni oz 2102/ y/wgzg %1JWM W 97 W D. B. MiECORN EY 2,933,386

March i0, 1936. D. B. MECORNEY RADIATOR SHUTTER Filed Oct. 8. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 10, 1936 Z,33,tt

RADIATOR, SHUTTER David B. Meccrney, Lockport, N. Y., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela- Ware Application October 8,

14 Claims.

The radiator shutters which are in common use on automotive vehicles at present consist of a number of slats or shutter blades which are pivotally mounted on a frame which is adapted to be positioned in advance of the core of the radiator and supported from the core or the shell of the radiator. Radiator shutters of this type are more or less unsatisfactory for the reasons, among others, that (1) they are expensive to manufacture, (2) they produce objectionable noises when the vehicle on which they are installed is in operation, and (3) they appreciably restrict the flow of air through the core of the radiator of the vehicle on which they are installed even when they are in fully opened position.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a radiator shutter which will not be subject to the objections referred to above.

To attain this end, I preferably provide a structure which consists of a panel which is adapted to be supported in advance of the core of the radiator of an automotive vehicle and in which there are provided a number of air passages in the form of spaced elongated slots, and a second panel which is adapted to be supported on the first-mentioned panel so that it may move parallel thereto in a direction at a right angle to the slots therein and in which there are provided a number of spaced elongated slots which are arranged parallel to the slots in the first-mentioned panel and which are adapted to be brought by movement of the second-mentioned panel into a position in which they register with the slots in the first-mentioned panel or with the imperforate portions of the first-mentioned panel intermediate the slots therein so as to regulate the volume of air which flows through the core of the radiator. In order to reduce to a minimum the resistance offered by the structure to the passage of air when the slots in the two panels are in registration, I preferably so form the portions of the panels intermediate the slots that when the slots are in registration these portions will conjointly form elements of streamline or airfoil shape in cross section.

For abetter understanding of the nature and the objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of the preferred embodiments of my invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the radiator of an automotive vehicle in which is incorporated a radiator shutter in which is embodied my invention.

1931, Serial No. 567,616

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the inner and outer panels, respectively, of the radiator shutter illustrated in the preceding figures.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the radiator of an automotive vehicle in which is incorporated a second form of radiator shutter in which is embodied my invention.

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on the line 66 of Figure 5, with parts broken away and in section.

Figure '7 is a cross section taken on the line l'! of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the radiator of an automotive vehicle in which is incorporated a third form of radiator shutter in which is embodied my invention.

Figure 9 is a cross section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8, with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 10 is a cross section taken on the line til-l0 of Figure 8.

The radiator which is shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings consists of a core H] which is inclosed within a shell II on whose front edge there is provided an inturned flange l2 which is spaced an appreciable distance from the front of the core. Between the front of the core and the flange I 2, there is mounted a radiator shutter [3 which consists of an outer or supporting panel 14 and an inner or sliding panel I5.

The outer or supporting panel consists of a single sheet of metal of such shape that it is adapted to fit snugly within the confines of the shell II and on whose edges there is provided a flange Hi to which are secured brackets IT by which the lower end of the panel is adapted to be secured to the shell H. In the upper end of the panel, there is provided an opening I 8 through which a bolt, or the like, is adapted to be extended to secure the upper end of the panel to the shell.

In the panel N, there are formed a number of ribs 19 which extend substantially from the top to the bottom thereof. Intermediate these ribs, from a point spaced from the upper end of the panel to a point spaced from the lower end thereof and for a distance equal substantially to the height of the radiator core, the metal is severed and the edges thereof pressed inwardly so as to form on the intermediate portions of the ribs inwardly extending wings 20 which converge slightly and define the boundaries of the slots 2|.

The inner or sliding panel I5 consists of a single sheet of metal which is slightly longer than the slots in the outer or supporting panel and which is somewhat narrower than the outer or supporting panel. In the panel l5, there are formed a number of ribs 22 which extend substantially from the top to the bottom thereof. Intermediate these ribs, the metal is severed and the edges thereof pressed inwardly so as to form substantially throughout the length of the ribs inwardly projecting wings 23 which diverge slightly and define the boundaries of slots 24 which are substantially coextensive with the slots 2| in the corresponding outer or supporting panel.

As shown in the drawings, the panel I5 is adapted to be mounted behind the panel I 4 with the convex walls of the ribs 22 facing rearwardly. To sup-port the panel I 5 from the panel I4, there are provided on the panel |4 below the lower ends of the slots 2| angle brackets 25 on which there are provided horizontal flanges, and on the panel l5 below the lower ends of the slots 24 angle brackets 26 on each of which there is provided a horizontal flange which is adapted to be seated on the horizontal flange of one of the brackets 25 through the intermediary of a ball 2'! which is seated in a parti-spherical concavity in the lower face of the horizontal flange of each of the brackets 26. To constrain the panel to movement parallel to the panel l4, there are provided brackets 28 carried by the panel |4, brackets 29 carried by the panel I5 and links 30 of which each is pivotally connected to a pair of brackets 28-29.

In Figure 2, the outer and inner panels are clearly shown in the positions which they occupy after they have been assembled as suggested in the preceding paragraph. In this figure, the solid lines indicate the relative positions of the parts when the shutter is in fully opened position and the dash-and-dot lines indicate the relative positions of the parts when the shutter is in fully closed position.

It will be noted that when the parts are in the former position, each of the ribs 22 is located directly behind one of the ribs I9 and forms conjointly therewith a smooth-surfaced element of airfoil or streamline contour in cross section. When the parts are in this position, there is a clear, unobstructed passage for air from the front face of the outer panel l4 to the rear face of the inner panel l5 through the spaces between the ribs |922 through which, the ribs l9-22 being of airfoil or streamline contour in cross section, a maximum volume of air will flow with a minimum of turbulence and, consequently, most smoothly and. quietly.

When the parts are in the positions in which they are shown in dash-and-dot lines in Figure 2, the ribs 22 on the inner panel bridge the slots 2| in the outer panel and the ribs IS on the outer panel bridge the slots 24 in the inner panel and, consequently, no air can pass through the shutter.

To move the inner panel from the position in which the shutter is fully closed to the position in which it is fully opened or to any intermediate position or vice versa, it is only necessary to apply a properly directed horizontal force thereto. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for this purpose. As shown in the drawings, the mechanism consists of a bell crank 3| mounted on. a bracket 32 carried by the outer panel and having in one arm 33 thereof a notch which engages a pin-like projection 34 carried by the inner panel. The force to operate the bell crank may be applied thereto through a link 55 which is pivotally connected to the arm 36 of the bell crank and which may be arranged so that it is operable manually from any desired position within or without the vehicle or automatically by a thermostat or otherwise.

In the embodiment of my invention which is shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the front or supporting panel 40 is formed integrally with and from the same piece of material as the radiator shell 4|, but is otherwise substantially identical with the panel I shown in Figures 1 to 4.

The rear or sliding panel 44 consists of a single sheet of metal in which there are provided a number of longitudinally extending slots 45 sep-- arated by bars 46 on whose opposite edges there are provided rearwardly converging wings 4'! which are formed of the material which previously occupied the spaces between the bars 46.

As shown in the drawings, the panel 44 is adapted to be mounted behind the panel 40 with the Wings 41 extending rearwardly. To support the panel 44 from the panel 40 and to guide the upper end thereof for movement parallel to the panel 40, there is provided on the panel 40 above the upper ends of the slots 43 a strip on which is formed adjacent each side of the panel a horizontally disposed, inwardly opening channel 48 on whose upper wall there is provided a depending flange, and on the upper edge of the panel 44 an outwardly extending flange 50 having an upwardly extending extremity. When the outer and inner panels are properly assembled, one end of the flange 50 is located in each of the channels 48 with a ball 5| interposed between the panel 44 and the horizontal portion of the flange 50 and the lower wall and the web of the channel 48 and a ball 52 interposed between the horizontal and vertical portions of the flange 50 and the upper wall and the depending flange of the channel 48. At the ends of the channels 48, there are provided ears 53 which prevent loss of the balls.

To guide the lower end of the inner panel, there is provided on the outer panel below the lower ends of the slots 43 and adjacent each side thereof a horizontally disposed, upwardly opening channel 54 on whose flanges there are provided inwardly extending extremities between which and a pair of balls 55 located in the channel the lower edge of the inner panel extends when the parts are properly assembled. To prevent dust entering the channels 54, there are provided on the lower edge of the inner panel pairs of wings 56 which overlap the extremities of the flanges on the channels. To prevent loss of the balls 55, ears 5! are provided on the ends of the channels.

In Figure 6, the outer and inner panels are clearly shown in the positions which they occupy after they have been assembled as suggested in the two paragraphs next preceding this. In Figure 6, the dash-and-dot lines indicate the relative positions of the parts when the shutter is in fully opened position, and the solid lines the relative positions of the parts when the shutter is in fully closed position.

It will be noted that when the parts are in the former position, each of the bars 46 is located directly behind one of the ribs 42 and forms conjointly therewith a smooth surfaced element which is of substantially airfoil or streamline contour in cross section. When the parts are in this position, there is a clear unobstructed passage for air from the front face of the outer panel 40 to the rear face of the inner panel 44 through the spaces between the elements 42-46 through which, the elements 42-46 being of airfoil or streamline contour in cross section, a maximum volume of air will flow with a minimum of turbulence, and consequently most smoothly and quietly.

When the parts are in the positions in which they are shown in solid lines in Figure 6, the bars 46 on the inner panel bridge the slots 43 in the outer panel. and the ribs 42 on the outer panel bridge the slots 45 in the inner panel and, consequently, no air can pass through the shutter.

In the construction shown in Figures 5 to 7 of the drawings, the inner and outer panels are connected by a spring 58 which biases the inner panel to fully closed position. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for moving the shutter to fully opened or any intermediate position against the resistance of the spring. The mechanism shown in the drawings consists of a bracket 59 which is secured to the outer panel and a bell crank 66 which is pivotally mounted on the bracket. To one arm 6! of the bell crank, there is pivotally connected a link 89 which is also pivotally connected to the inner panel, as indicated at 88. To the other arm 64 of the bell crank, there is connected a link 65 through which the bell crank and, therethrough, the inner panel may be operated manually or automatically.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, I have illustrated a form of my invention which is particularly adapted for embodiment in a radiator provided with a shell of what is called the V-type. In these figures, the reference character 60 indicates the core of the radiator and the reference character 6| the radiator shell. In order to maintain the de sired contour of radiator shell, the supporting panel 62 of the radiator shutter, which is made integral with and from the same sheet of metal as the shell, is made of V-shape in cross section. In each wing of the panel, there are formed a number of ribs 63 which are substantially coextensive in length with the radiator core. Intermediate these ribs, the metal is severed and the edges thereof pressed outwardly so as to form thereon outwardly extending wings 64 which diverge slightly and define the boundaries of the slots 65.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10, there are provided two sliding panels 66 of which each consists of a single sheet of metal which is slightly longer than the slots in the supporting panel and somewhat narrower than a wing of the supporting panel. In each of the panels 66, there are formed a number of ribs 61 which extend substantially from the top to the bottom thereof. Intermediate these ribs, the metal is severed and the edges thereof pressed inwardly to form wings 68 which define the boundaries of slots 69 which are substantially coextensive with the slots 65 in the supporting panel.

Each of the panels 66 is adapted to be mounted in front of one of the wings of the panel 62' with the concave walls of the ribs 61 facing rearwardly. To support the panels 66 from the panel 62, and to guide each for movement parallel to the face of the adjacent wings of the panel 62, there is provided on each wing of the panel 62 below the lower ends of the slots 65 a bracket 16 and above the upper ends of the slots 65 a pair of brackets H.

In each of the brackets 10, there is provided a groove I2 which is closed at its ends and in which there are located balls 13. To each panel 66 below the lower ends of the slots therein, there is fastened a bracket 14 which extends through a slot 15 in one of the wings of the panel 62 and rests upon the adjacent balls 13 with a portion thereof located between a pair of the balls.

In each of the brackets I, there is provided an upwardly and inwardly open track 16 and a downwardly and outwardly open track 11 which are closed at their ends. To each panel 66 above the upper ends of the slots therein, there is fastened a pair of brackets 18 of which each extends through a slot '19 in the adjacent wing of the panel 62 and is provided with portions which close the open sides of one of the tracks 16 and TI- and maintain therein balls 80.

In Figure 9, the outer and inner panels are clearly shown in the-positions which they occupy after they have been assembled as suggested in the three paragraphs next preceding this. In this figure, the solid lines indicate the positions of the parts when the shutter is in fully opened position and the dash-and-dot lines indicate the relative positions of the parts when the shutter is in fully closed position.

It will be noted that when the parts are in the former positions, each of the ribs 6'! is located directly in front of one of the ribs 63 and forms conjointly therewith a smooth surfaced element of airfoil or streamline contour in cross section. When the parts are in this position, there is a clear unobstructed passage for air from the front face of the outer panel to the rear face of the inner panel through the spaces between the ribs 63-61 through which, the ribs 63-61 being of airfoil or streamline contour in cross section, a maximum volume of air will flow with a minimum of turbulence, and, consequently, most smoothly and quietly.

When the parts are in the position in which they are shown in dash-and-dot lines in Figure 9, the ribs 61 on the outer panel bridge the slots 65 in the inner panel, and the ribs 63 on the inner panel bridge the slots 69 in the outer panel, and consequently, no air can pass through the shutter.

For moving the outer panels from the positions in which the shutter is fully closed to the positions in which it is fully opened, or to any intermediate position or vice versa, any suitable mechanism may be employed. The mechanism illustrated in the drawings is adapted to move both of the outer panels simultaneously to or from open or closed position. This mechanism includes a three-armed crank 8! which is nonrotatably connected to the upper end of a vertically extending shaft 82 which is journalled in suitable brackets 83 carried by the inner panel adjacent its center, and a two-armed crank a l non-rotatably mounted on the lower end of the shaft. To each of the arms of the crank 84, there is pivotally connected a link 85 which is also pivotally connected to one of the brackets 14 and to each of two of the arms of the crank 8|, there is pivotally connected a link 86 which is'also pivotally connected to one 'of the brackets 18 on each of the panels 66. The force required to rotate the shaft 82 and move the shutters may be applied thereto through a link 8'! which is' pivotally connected to the third arm of the crank BI and which may be arranged so that it is operable manually from any desired position within or without the vehicle or automatically by a thermostat or otherwise.

It will, of course, be understood that although specific embodiments of my invention have been illustrated and described, modifications thereof may be constructed without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. For instance, in any of the constructions shown herein the radiator core instead of being supported from or formed integral with the radiator shell, and the sliding panels may be placed either behind or in front of the supporting panels and may be arranged to slide vertically instead of horizontally.

I claim:

1. In a radiator shutter, a panel in which there are provided a number of slots separated by bars, a second panel in which there are provided a number of slots separated by bars, means for moving the first panel substantially parallelly to the second panel from and to a position in which the bars substantially register with each other, said bars being so shaped as to form conjointly, when in registration, elements of substantially airfoil or streamline contour in section.

2. In a radiator shutter, a pair of substantially parallel panels, and means for supporting one of the panels from the other, including a bracket disposed on the side of the first mentioned panel distant from the second mentioned'panel, and a bracket on the second mentioned panel extending through the first mentioned panel.

' 3. The radiator-shutter claimed in claim 1 in which the bars are of generally channel-like form in cross section.

4. The shutter claimed in claim 1 in which the bars are of generally channel-like form in cross section and the concave sides of the bars of one panel face the concave sides of the bars of the other panel.

5'. The shutter claimed in claim 1 in which the bars are of generally channel-like form in cross section and the concave sides of the bars of one panel face in the same direction as the concave sides of the bars in the other panel.

6. In a radiator shutter, a panel in which there are provided a number of slots separated by bars, a second panel in which there are provided a number of slots separated by bars, means for moving the first panel substantially parallelly to the second panel from and to a position in which the bars substantially register with each other, including a shaft extending transversely of the direction of movement of the first panel, a crank and a link connecting the shaft with the first panel and a crank and a link connecting the shaft and the first panel at a point distant from that at which the firstlink is connected thereto.

7. In a radiator shutter, a pair of panels, means, including a link pivotally connected to both of the panels, for connecting one of the panels to the-other so as to constrain it to move approximately parallel thereto, and means independent of the first specified means for moving one-of the panels with respect to the other.

8. In a radiator shutter, a pair of panels, means for supporting one of the panels from the other, means, including a link pivotally connected to both of the panels, for connecting the supported panel to the supporting panel so as to constrain it to move approximately parallel thereto, and means independent of the previously specified means for moving the supported panel wth respect to the supporting panel.

9. In a radiator shutter, a pair of panels, and means for connecting one of the panels to the supporting panel may be supported from the other so as to support it therefrom and to constrain it to move parallel thereto in a substantially horizontal direction, including an approximately horizontally disposed element on the upper end of the supporting panel, an approximately horizontally disposed element on the upper end of the supported panel located above and resting on the first specified element, and approximately vertically disposed interfitting elements on the lower ends of the panels.

10. In a radiator shutter, two approximately vertically disposed angularly related stationary panels, two movable panels of which each is slidable in an approximately horizontal direction parallel to one and toward and away from the other of the stationary panels, and means for moving the movable panels with respect to the stationary panels including links connected to the upper and lower ends of each of the movable panels and to a common operating element.

11. In a radiator shutter, two approximately parallelly disposed panels, and means for supporting one of the panels from the other so that it may move approximately parallel thereto in an approximately horizontal direction, including an approximately horizontally disposed wing on the upper end of the last mentioned panel, and an approximately horizontally disposed wing on the upper end of the first mentioned panel disposed above the wing on the second mentioned panel.

12. In a radiator shutter, two approximately parallelly disposed panels, and means for connecting one of the panels to the other so as to constrain it to move parallel thereto including two approximately parallelly disposed wings of which each is angularly disposed with respect and connected to one of the panels, a flange which is disposed approximately parallelly to the panels and is connected to the wing on one of the panels, and a wing which is disposed approximately parallelly and connected to the other panel and is directed oppositely to and overlaps the specified fiange.

13. In a radiator shutter, two approximately parallelly disposed panels, and means for connecting one of the panels to the other so as to constrain it to move parallel thereto including two approximately parallel wings angularly disposed with respect and connected to one of the panels in spaced relation, a wing which is angularly disposed with respect and connected to the other panel and extends approximately parallelly to and projects into the space between the first specified wings, a flange which is disposed approximately parallelly to the panels and is connected to the last specified wing, and a flange which is disposed approximately parallelly tothe panels and is connected to one of the first specified wings and is directed oppositely to and overlaps the first specified flange. 14. The radiator shutter specified by claim 2, plus means for moving the second mentioned panel with respect to the first mentioned panel connected to the portion of the last specified bracket which extends through the first mentioned panel.

DAVID B. MECORNEY. 

